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FDISK error message?

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14 replies

by hop228a

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I have a 10GB HDD, tried to fdisk on my laptop, but I get the error message:

"The master boot code has NOT been updated"

What does that mean and how can I FDISK the drive?

14 replies

by joseph moore

I found this description of your error:

Cause: FDISK. There is a physical problem reading or writing to the hard disk. This could indicate a bad sector on the disk where the master (startup) record is located.
Action: Use the FDISK command to delete the partition and create a new one, or use the low-level format that came with the hard disk to format the disk.

by hop228a

I cannot use the FDISK command, as reason already mentioned.Not able to LLF the drive was pre-owned. I downloaded the DFT and it reports that the drive is password protected!!!!!!

by angela.brown2

Try going into the BIOS and turning off any virus protection. It sounds as if the BIOS Virus protection is protecting the Master Boot Record of the hard drive.

Hope this helps!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

by hop228a

I've checkon on the BIOS and there is no virus protection.I tried on another drive and that drive is okay,both are 40GB. BTW its a laptop drive.

by w2ktechman

If the above doesnt work, try first
fdisk /mbr
this might allow you to fdisk now.

If it is password protected, it would be from the bios. try clearing the bios passwrod (usually a jumper on the MB), or if you can get to the bios, then turn it off from the security tab.

by hop228a

I done FDISK/MBR which is fine, but once I do FDISK then that error message comes up.There is no BIOS password as I tried on another 40GB drive and that allow me to do anything.I think its a password protection on the drive?

by w2ktechman

Go to the manufacturers site and look through their KBase. Maybe you will find how to remove the password. There may be a jumper setting for this.

by hop228a

That never came into my mind,can it be done?????

Its something to do with a password set on the drive,this drive is one of many that were lying around in a spare room at the office.

by boli

NOTE: Do not use a magnet, it is highly risky to the hard drives magnetic field

It seems to me that the only way your gonna get round this password is to format the drive completly.
boot to DOS using a Windows 98 boot disk, type this:
format C:/u
this should whipe the whole drive completly.

by hop228a

Thanks for the instruction,tried the command FORMAT C:/U however,I get this error message:

Format not supported on drive C: Format
Format terminated

by wlbowers

You can try to use a drive program, like Drivepro, that erases the first 10 tracks.

Otherwise email the manufacturer and see if they will do it.

There are people on the web that will do it but it is rich.

Lee

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